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Business Owner Episodes

The 10 Unspoken Laws of Trust
279
Oct. 7, 2025

The 10 Unspoken Laws of Trust

Episode 279 of The Business Development Podcast, The 10 Unspoken Laws of Trust , dives deep into the unseen foundation behind every successful relationship, deal, and opportunity: trust. Kelly explores how trust shapes human behavior, why it’s not automatic despite being essential to society, and the ten unspoken laws that quietly govern how we build and maintain it. From honesty and reciprocity to fairness, accountability, and transparency, this episode uncovers the hidden social and biological...
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Startup TNT Ignites Western Canada with Tim Lynn
278
Oct. 4, 2025

Startup TNT Ignites Western Canada with Tim Lynn

Episode 278 of The Business Development Podcast dives into the explosive rise of Startup TNT with co-founder Tim Lynn, a financial strategist and serial entrepreneur who has helped reshape Western Canada’s startup ecosystem. Tim shares his journey from investment banking to building a community-driven angel investing platform that has mobilized millions in capital, empowered new investors, and opened doors for founders across the Prairies. With a unique blend of expertise as a CPA, CFA, and CBV,...
Guest: Tim Lynn
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The Underdog Power of Community
277
Sept. 30, 2025

The Underdog Power of Community

In Episode 277 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy takes you inside a true David vs. Goliath battle as he fights for the 2025 Signal Awards in the Business category. As the only Canadian and the only independent finalist up against billion dollar networks like Wondery, iHeart, and Amazon, Kelly reveals how underdogs can rally support and compete with giants. He shares the exact playbook he is using: creating awareness through posts, driving action with direct outreach, scaling wit...
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Any Dumbass Can Do It with Garry Ridge
276
Sept. 27, 2025

Any Dumbass Can Do It with Garry Ridge

Episode 276 of The Business Development Podcast welcomes Garry Ridge, the legendary former CEO of WD-40 and author of Any Dumbass Can Do It . Garry takes us inside the culture transformation that turned WD-40 into a global icon, showing how “learning moments” and servant leadership created an environment where people belonged, felt valued, and performed at their best. His story proves that lasting success doesn’t come from fear or control but from building workplaces where people love to show up...
Guest: Garry Ridge
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10 Indicators You’re Leveling Up, Not Falling Behind
275
Sept. 23, 2025

10 Indicators You’re Leveling Up, Not Falling Behind

Episode 275 of The Business Development Podcast flips the script on imposter syndrome, showing why it isn’t a red flag but a clear indicator that you’re leveling up. Kelly Kennedy unpacks why this feeling shows up right before your biggest breakthroughs and why it’s actually a compass pointing you toward growth and success. In this episode, you’ll uncover 10 powerful indicators that prove you’re on the right path, plus practical strategies to reframe self-doubt into fuel. From anchoring in your ...
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Podcast Playbook (Part 11): Mastering the Mindset — Final Tips to Stay Consistent and Thrive
273
Sept. 16, 2025

Podcast Playbook (Part 11): Mastering the Mindset — Final Tips to Stay Consistent and Thrive

In Episode 273, we bring the Podcast Playbook to a close with Part 11: Mastering the Mindset — Final Tips to Stay Consistent and Thrive . This final chapter shifts the focus from tools and strategies to the mental game required to keep your podcast alive long term. We explore why most podcasters fade out after just a few episodes, how to set realistic expectations for slow and steady growth, and the importance of building habits that keep you consistent even when results don’t come overnight. Yo...
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Podcast Playbook (Part 9): How to Market and Grow Your Podcast — Strategies to Build Reach & Audience
269
Sept. 2, 2025

Podcast Playbook (Part 9): How to Market and Grow Your Podcast — Strategies to Build Reach & Audience

Episode 269 of The Business Development Podcast takes us into Part 9 of the Podcast Playbook, where Kelly Kennedy breaks down the truth about marketing and growing a podcast. Launching a show is only the beginning — real growth comes from leveraging guests, showing up consistently on social media, using audiograms and clips to spark curiosity, repurposing content, building community, collaborating with other creators, and when the time is right, investing carefully in advertising where people ar...
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Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Venture Capital with Lise Birikundavyi
268
Aug. 30, 2025

Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Venture Capital with Lise Birikundavyi

In Episode 268 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly sits down with Lise Birikundavyi, CFA, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of BKR Capital, Canada’s first Black-led, institutionally backed venture capital fund. Lise shares her incredible journey from her roots in Burundi to becoming one of the most influential voices in impact investing and inclusive finance. With a career spanning hedge funds, global impact strategies, and leadership roles across Africa, Asia, and North America, she brings...
Guest: Lise Birikundavyi
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Podcast Playbook (Part 8): How to Launch Your Podcast the Right Way — Titles, Promotion & Momentum
267
Aug. 26, 2025

Podcast Playbook (Part 8): How to Launch Your Podcast the Right Way — Titles, Promotion & Momentum

Part 8 of the Podcast Playbook is all about launch day—the moment your podcast moves from planning to reality. In this episode, Kelly Kennedy stresses that first impressions matter more than almost anything else. He breaks down the steps every podcaster should take before hitting publish, including running a final quality check, ensuring audio is clean and professional, confirming metadata, and carefully selecting evergreen topics that will hold up long term. Kelly also shares his personal exper...
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Why You Should Buy a Business Instead of Starting One with Jory Evans (Part 2)
265
Aug. 19, 2025

Why You Should Buy a Business Instead of Starting One with Jory Evans (Part 2)

In Part 2 of Why You Should Buy a Business Instead of Starting One with Jory Evans , we move past the mechanics of deal-making and into the high-stakes world of execution. Jory Evans, CEO of Evans Trucking, explains why acquisitions succeed or fail not in the negotiation room, but in how leaders handle the transition afterward. He highlights the importance of logistics, leadership depth, and cultural alignment, drawing from his own experiences of scaling Evans Trucking through multiple acquisiti...
Guest: Jory Evans
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The Hidden Future of Generative AI Revealed with Charlene Li
264
Aug. 16, 2025

The Hidden Future of Generative AI Revealed with Charlene Li

In episode 264 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with New York Times bestselling author and disruption expert Charlene Li to unpack what it truly means to lead in the age of generative AI. Drawing on more than three decades of experience helping global companies navigate internet revolutions, social media shifts, and now AI, Charlene shares how the biggest obstacle to transformation isn’t the technology—it’s imagination. This conversation explores how leaders can refra...
Guest: Charlene Li
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Podcast Playbook (Part 7): How to Edit Your Podcast Like a Pro — My Full Workflow for Clean, Studio-Quality Sound
263
Aug. 12, 2025

Podcast Playbook (Part 7): How to Edit Your Podcast Like a Pro — My Full Workflow for Clean, Studio-Quality Sound

Episode 263 of The Business Development Podcast takes you deep into the editing stage of podcast production, where a raw recording transforms into a polished, professional show. In Part 7 of the Podcast Playbook series, Kelly Kennedy shares his complete start-to-finish editing workflow, honed over hundreds of episodes. From understanding your DAW workspace to identifying and fixing common audio problems, he covers the why and how behind every step, always keeping the listener’s experience front ...
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The Climate Crisis Could Be Your Biggest Business Opportunity with Jodi Scarlett
262
Aug. 9, 2025

The Climate Crisis Could Be Your Biggest Business Opportunity with Jodi Scarlett

In this episode of The Business Development Podcast , Kelly Kennedy welcomes Jodi Scarlett, CEO of EcoClaim, for a deep dive into how the insurance industry — and the businesses in its supply chain — can transform the climate crisis into a powerful business advantage. Drawing on over two decades of leadership in restoration and insurance, Jodi shares how EcoClaim is pioneering solutions to measure, reduce, and report Scope 3 emissions while cutting costs and meeting emerging regulatory demands. ...
Guest: Jodi Scarlett
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Podcasting Built a Movement That Changed Everything with Tim Truax
261
Aug. 5, 2025

Podcasting Built a Movement That Changed Everything with Tim Truax

Episode 261 of The Business Development Podcast features Tim Truax, CEO of PodSummit YYC, longtime host of The Nerd Room , and a true pioneer in Canadian podcasting. With nearly 500 episodes under his belt, Tim shares the unfiltered reality of what it takes to build a show that lasts—without chasing trends or downloads. From late-night basement recordings to leading Canada’s premier podcasting summit, his story is a testament to passion, consistency, and the power of building community one episo...
Guest: Tim Truax
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Leading Through Pain and Purpose with Shawn Neels
260
Aug. 2, 2025

Leading Through Pain and Purpose with Shawn Neels

In Episode 260 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy sits down with Shawn Neels, the resilient and inspiring founder of Plains Equipment Rentals. At just 26, Shawn has built a successful business grounded in grit, values, and relentless personal growth. This episode dives deep into his journey—from overcoming life-altering trauma and confronting mental health through therapy and fitness, to discovering the power of 75 Hard, faith, and routine. Shawn opens up about introversion, entr...
Guest: Shawn Neels
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Podcast Playbook (Part 6): How to Plan, Set Up, and Record Your First Episode with Confidence
259
July 29, 2025

Podcast Playbook (Part 6): How to Plan, Set Up, and Record Your First Episode with Confidence

Episode 259 of The Business Development Podcast is Part 6 of the Podcast Playbook series, and it’s the game-changer. In this episode, Kelly Kennedy walks listeners through the pivotal moment that separates aspiring podcasters from real ones—recording your first episode. He covers everything from crafting a flexible show plan to choosing a topic you're genuinely excited about, setting up your mic for clean pro-level sound, and building a pre-recording ritual to overcome self-doubt and imposter sy...
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How Gratitude Builds Legendary Leaders with Chester Elton
258
July 26, 2025

How Gratitude Builds Legendary Leaders with Chester Elton

Episode 258 of The Business Development Podcast features the incomparable Chester Elton, globally known as The Apostle of Appreciation . In this electrifying and heartfelt conversation, Chester dives deep into the transformative power of gratitude in leadership, sharing wisdom from his 15 bestselling books, including The Carrot Principle and Leading with Gratitude . He opens up about his personal journey, the core values that shaped his leadership philosophy, and how simple acts of appreciation ...
Guest: Chester Elton
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Podcast Playbook (Part 5): How to Choose the Right Hosting & Recording Tools to Launch, Grow, and Monetize Your Show
257
July 22, 2025

Podcast Playbook (Part 5): How to Choose the Right Hosting & Recording Tools to Launch, Grow, and Monetize Your Show

In Episode 257 of The Business Development Podcast, Kelly Kennedy delivers Part 5 of the Podcast Playbook series, focused on choosing the right hosting and recording tools to launch, grow, and monetize your podcast. He breaks down the often-confusing world of podcast technology, sharing hard-earned insights from producing over 250 episodes. Kelly offers a detailed, no-fluff comparison of the top hosting platforms—including Captivate, Buzzsprout, and Libsyn—emphasizing the importance of selecting...
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Podcast Playbook (Part 4): How to Lock in Your Schedule, Format, and 50-Episode Plan for Long-Term Success
255
July 15, 2025

Podcast Playbook (Part 4): How to Lock in Your Schedule, Format, and 50-Episode Plan for Long-Term Success

In Episode 255 of The Business Development Podcast, we bring you Part 4 of the Podcast Playbook series, diving deep into the strategy behind building a podcast that lasts. This episode is all about locking in your release schedule, choosing a format that fits your energy and goals, and creating a 50-episode content plan that keeps you consistent and confident. Whether you're going solo, interviewing guests, or co-hosting, you’ll learn how to structure your show for long-term sustainability—witho...
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Where Hustle Meets Heart with Kapil Kalra
254
July 12, 2025

Where Hustle Meets Heart with Kapil Kalra

In Episode 254 of The Business Development Podcast, we sit down with Kapil Kalra, the passionate force behind Naturemary and a powerhouse in the world of natural wellness. Kapil opens up about his early days working in his family’s grocery store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and how those humble beginnings shaped his unshakable work ethic. From selling electronics to launching a national wellness brand, Kapil’s journey is packed with gritty determination, unfiltered lessons, and the relentless beli...
Guest: Kapil Kalra
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Podcast Playbook (Part 3): How to Build a Brand That Gets Clicks
253
July 8, 2025

Podcast Playbook (Part 3): How to Build a Brand That Gets Clicks

In Episode 253 of The Business Development Podcast, we dive into Part 3 of the Podcast Playbook and walk you through how to build a podcast brand that captures attention and drives growth. From naming your show with clarity and SEO in mind to designing high-impact cover art and creating intros and outros that set the tone, this episode is packed with tactical advice to help you stand out. Kelly Kennedy shares how getting the name right from day one can make or break discoverability, why securing...
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Make Them Feel It with Ben Wise & Darren Chiu
252
July 5, 2025

Make Them Feel It with Ben Wise & Darren Chiu

In Episode 252, Kelly is joined by Ben Wise and Darren Chiu—two senior leaders at Google and co-founders of Captivate —for a raw and insightful breakdown of what truly drives persuasion in today’s world. They reveal why facts alone don’t move people, and how emotional strategy, trust, and authenticity are the real keys to influence. From sales calls to boardrooms, they show how mastering emotional connection will radically transform how you pitch, sell, and lead. Packed with powerful concepts li...
Guests: Ben Wise, Darren Chiu
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Podcast Playbook (Part 2): The 4 Essential Pieces of Podcasting Equipment
251
July 1, 2025

Podcast Playbook (Part 2): The 4 Essential Pieces of Podcasting Equipment

In Podcast Playbook (Part 2), Kelly Kennedy rips the fluff off podcast tech and gives you the real, unfiltered truth about the gear that actually matters. If you’re serious about launching a podcast that sounds world-class, this episode is your blueprint. From computers and microphones to audio interfaces and headphones, Kelly breaks down what to buy, why it matters, and how to build a pro-level setup without wasting a dollar. No gimmicks. No jargon. Just clarity and confidence to build your stu...
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Unleashing the Power of Edmonton’s Regional Innovation Network with Janice Baskin
250
June 28, 2025

Unleashing the Power of Edmonton’s Regional Innovation Network with Janice Baskin

In this milestone 250th episode, host Kelly Kennedy sits down with Janice Baskin, Manager of the Edmonton Regional Innovation Network (ERIN), for a deep dive into how Alberta entrepreneurs can better navigate the complex ecosystem of supports, funding, and opportunities available to them. From breaking down the role of ERIN as a connector organization to sharing personal insights from her own entrepreneurial journey, Janice offers a transparent and practical look at what’s working—and what’s sti...
Guest: Janice Baskin
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